If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, your entire future is at stake - you need the best criminal defense attorney available, to ensure that your rights are protected. Find a criminal defense lawyer in your state, specializing in your type of case, here at the State Bar Attorneys Directory, powered by Best of the Web. We list thousands of the best criminal defense firms in the United States; all of our listings have been screened and verified for your peace of mind. So whatever criminal charges you are facing, you can be confident in choosing a criminal defense attorney from our listings.
Featured
Conan and Herman Attorneys at Law
Central Florida criminal defense attorneys with over 40 years of combined experience in criminal law.
Leader, Leader, & Zucker PLLC
Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer who can defend clients against any DUI charges. Unclaimed: Claim this business
Albaugh Law Firm
Group of experienced attorneys who are committed to help clients facing misdemeanor or felony charges; are contemplating a divorce or other family law issue; are considering bankruptcy; or are facing foreclosure in Jacksonville and St. Augustine FL.
O'Mara Law Group
O'Mara Law Group is the private law practice of Mark O'Mara. Mark O'Mara has been practicing law in Central Florida since 1983. He served as a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. Mark O'Mara is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law and Marital and Family Law. After gaining national recognition for leading the defense in the Zimmerman case, Mark O'Mara…
Leifert & Leifert
Leifert & Leifert is a criminal defense firm located in West Palm Beach, with numerous other offices in South Florida to best serve their clients. The attorneys at the firm are a dedicated, professional, and aggressive team with years of experience as defense lawyers. They also bring their experience as former prosecutors to the table.
The Reep Law Firm
Respond to any criminal accusation filed against you in a court of law with the reasoned representation offered by Justin Reep at The Reep Law Firm. Justin is an experienced Seminole criminal attorney who acts as your voice during any criminal proceeding and subsequent bond hearing.
Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
Providing representation for a wide variety of criminal law related charges including DUI and theft related crimes. From the Hager & Schwartz, P.A. website: Our Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorneys from Hager & Schwartz provide strategic defense for individuals facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Contact us for a FREE case review. We are available 24//7.
Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
Offers aggressive criminal defense from an attorney in Daytona Beach, FL. From the Hager & Schwartz, P.A. website: Former state prosecutors with over 40 years' combined experience, you can trust in the Daytona Beach criminal lawyers at Hager & Schwartz.
Herman Law PA
Full-service law firm focusing on criminal defense and personal injury litigation to obtain reduced charges, decreased fines, and more on clients' behalf.
Joshi Law Firm, PA
Joshi Law Firm, PA is a highly skilled and decorated criminal law firm, serving our community with the highest integrity and honor! We pride ourselves on hard-hitting, passionate representation, fighting for our clients to preserve their rights, their fam From the Joshi Law Firm, PA website: Orlando criminal defense lawyers at Joshi Law Firm, PA defend people charged with Florida…
Leifert & Leifert Criminal Defense
Leifert & Leifert is a criminal defense team of former prosecutors. The attorneys exhibit professionalism and dedication to the practice of criminal defens. Their many years of experience as defense lawyers, as well as their experience as former South Florida prosecutors, make Leifert & Leifert the ideal team for those facing criminal, DUI and traffic charges.
The Skier Law Firm, P.A.
West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney offers legal representation to those accused of a crime. From the The Skier Law Firm, P.A. website: The West Palm Beach criminal attorneys at The Skier Law Firm, P.A., want you to be confident that we have the skill and experience to help you.
Zelman Law
Tallahassee criminal defense attorney to clients you through difficult times. From the Zelman Law website: Tallahassee criminal defense attorneys Zelman Law are devoted to representation in criminal defense, DUI, violent crimes, white collar crimes and more.
Luke Newman, P.A.
Since 2004, attorney Luke Newman has been fighting and winning on behalf of the people of Tallahassee who have been arrested and charged with Florida and federal misdemeanor and felony offenses. He has been favorably reviewed by his clients and legal orga From the Luke Newman, P.A. website: Tallahassee criminal attorney Luke Newman defends people charged in Florida & federal…
OA Law Firm
Omar Abdelghany has won hundreds of cases in Florida criminal courts and dedicates his legal practice exclusively to defending people accused of criminal conduct.
Scriven Law, P.A.
Tampa criminal defense attorney Bryant Scriven is a former Hillsborough County prosecutor with experience prosecuting misdemeanors, felonies, DUI and traffic offenses, and juvenile delinquency.
Taracks & Associates
The Taracks and Associates is a full-service legal firm established for DUI, Criminal Defense and Family cases. No one plans to be charged with a criminal offense and ruin its future. We understand how daunting and upsetting the process can be, that is why we make sure to provide each case we handle with commitment, keenness, knowledge and aggressiveness. We…
The Baez Law Firm
The Baez Law Firm offers clients top legal representation in criminal defense, civil rights, and civil litigation in south and central Florida, from Miami to Orlando to Tampa and all points in between. One of the most sought after trial attorneys in the country, attorney Jose Baez is nationally recognized for his unparalleled commitment to justice in the legal profession.
Faulkner Law Group, PLLC
Tampa criminal lawyer David Faulkner is a former FBI Special Agent and prosecutor with 25 years of experience in the practice of law in Florida. Additionally, David is a Florida Supreme Court Certified family law mediator and a qualified parenting coordinator helping clients through divorce, separation, paternity and related matters.
What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
Criminal defense lawyers work with people who have been accused of a crime. Their role is to ensure the defendant’s rights are upheld and that any eventual trial is fair and lawful. A good criminal defense attorney will research the case against you, investigate and review procedures taken against you, examine witnesses, gather evidence, and attempt to negotiate with prosecutors. You can rely on your criminal defense lawyer to advise you on the potential consequences of your plea and to explain a likely sentence. If no plea deal can be reached, your defense counsel will ultimately represent you in your trial.
Why Choose Us
Best of the Web has verified and listed millions of businesses since 1994, adapting our model to new technologies and new digital marketing requirements as the decades have rolled by. We remain the most trusted online directory around, and the go-to choice for a quality business directory listing which drives results.
-
Improving Online Business Presence
Elevate your market presence with our targeted SEO strategies and premium listings, ensuring top-tier online visibility.
-
24/7 Customer Support
Our dedicated team is available around the clock, providing seamless support to enhance your business operations.
-
Trusted by Customers
Build customer trust with our rigorously vetted listings, boosting your credibility and attracting quality clientele.
New Criminal Defense Attorney Listings
Recent Criminal Defense Attorney Reviews
What Types of Crime Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help With?
Criminal defense attorneys can work with any kind of criminal offense, from misdemeanors to murder.
In practice, however, many of the best criminal defense lawyers specialize in a particular area of crime. If you have been charged with DUI or DWI, for example, you will want to find the best DUI attorney near you.
Other criminal attorneys may specialize in defending those accused of violent crimes, sex crimes, or domestic violence, while still others may specialize in fraud, financial crimes, drugs charges, tax offenses, or immigration issues - whatever the charges against you, a recommended criminal attorney can handle it.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
There are two ways of getting a criminal defense attorney. If you can afford it, you can choose and hire your own, in which case you are fully responsible for paying the attorney’s fees. Alternatively, if you cannot afford or do not want to hire your own defense counsel, the court may appoint a criminal defense lawyer for you, if you meet certain conditions, and in this case, the costs will be paid by the government. Normally, if you face a potential jail or prison sentence, you will be eligible for court-appointed representation. If you are not facing incarceration, you may or may not be eligible for free defense counsel, depending on your financial situation and state law. Even if you are not eligible for free counsel, you may be eligible for partially funded representation if you can demonstrate that you cannot afford a private defense attorney.
If you choose to hire your own defense counsel, the cost will depend heavily on the type and complexity of your criminal case. For a misdemeanor, you may be looking at around $5000 in legal fees. For a felony, it could be upwards of $25,000. Criminal defense attorneys are not allowed to operate on a contingency fee basis, and many will require all or a substantial proportion of the fee to be paid upfront.
Tips for Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested, you will need to find a criminal defense attorney quickly, to secure your release and prepare for what lies ahead.
Having said that, don’t panic and pick the first criminal law firm you find in an internet search. Not only are you likely to be spending a great deal of money, but your future hinges on getting effective representation that you can trust. This could be one of the most important decisions of your life, so research is essential.
There are tens of thousands of criminal defense attorneys in the United States.
Start with people you know. If you know an attorney of any kind, they may be able to recommend a criminal defense attorney. If anyone you know has ever had to use one, you could also find a recommendation there.
Beyond personal recommendations, the best way to choose a criminal defense attorney is through our directory of screened and verified criminal defense lawyers across the US. Here you can easily narrow down your search to your state and to criminal defense firms that specialize in the relevant crime.
You can also read reviews right here in the directory, to get a feel for which are the most trusted criminal defense attorneys near you.
FAQ On Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
1 - Can I represent myself in a criminal case?
You can, but a better question is whether you should.
Around 2% of defendants do choose to represent themselves, and are referred to as pro se defendants, from the Latin for ‘on behalf of themselves’.
In theory, you always have the right to represent yourself. In practice, the more serious the crime you are charged with, the riskier this strategy becomes. Not only do you risk not understanding the law involved, you may also fail to understand the procedural issues. Even if you do have a full grasp of what’s involved, you would probably suffer from a lack of experience, especially at trial, where you most likely do not have the skills to question or cross-examine witnesses or to eloquently provide your own defense.
Ultimately the decision is yours, but you are very strongly advised to use a criminal defense attorney, especially if you are facing potential incarceration.
2 - Can I change my criminal defense attorney if I’m not happy?
If you have hired your own criminal defense lawyer, then yes, you can usually change lawyers if you wish. However, doing so may prove expensive, as your new criminal defense attorney will need to start from scratch.
If your defense counsel is court-appointed, you would need to demonstrate either a serious breakdown in the relationship or incompetence on the part of your lawyer in order for the court to approve your request to change attorneys.
In either case, the court can intervene to prevent a change of attorney in some cases, for example, if they feel the defendant is just playing for time and trying to delay the trial by seeking a new attorney.
3 - Do I need a criminal defense attorney if I’m going to plead guilty?
It’s always advisable to seek representation from an experienced defense attorney, even if you wish to plead guilty. The best criminal defense lawyers may be able to help you in several ways - perhaps by getting the charges against you reduced or by getting your sentence reduced. If the case against you is weak or flawed, your criminal defense attorney may even be able to get the charges dismissed completely. The key is to remember that prosecutors do not have your best interests in mind - that’s not their job. The only professional who will protect your interests first and foremost is your criminal defense attorney - so even if you wish to plead guilty, it is still worth relying on a defense counsel to get you through the process as unscathed as possible.